Dysregulation of brain dopamine systems in major depressive disorder |
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Authors: | Nella C Delva Gregg D Stanwood |
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Affiliation: | 1.Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA; 2.Center for Brain Repair, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA |
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Abstract: | Major depressive disorder (MDD or depression) is a debilitating neuropsychiatric syndrome with genetic, epigenetic, and environmental contributions. Depression is one of the largest contributors to chronic disease burden; it affects more than one in six individuals in the United States. A wide array of cellular and molecular modifications distributed across a variety of neuronal processes and circuits underlie the pathophysiology of depression—no established mechanism can explain all aspects of the disease. MDD suffers from a vast treatment gap worldwide, and large numbers of individuals who require treatment do not receive adequate care. This mini-review focuses on dysregulation of brain dopamine (DA) systems in the pathophysiology of MDD and describing new cellular targets for potential medication development focused on DA-modulated micro-circuits. We also explore how neurodevelopmental factors may modify risk for later emergence of MDD, possibly through dopaminergic substrates in the brain. |
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Keywords: | Depression major depressive disorder receptor neurodevelopment anhedonia mood |
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